13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Marion County looks to expand smoking ban

Marion County looks to expand smoking ban

Mary Milz/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - There are new efforts to ban smoking in all workplaces in Marion County, but not everyone is on board with the idea.

City-County Councilor Angie Mansfield (D) and Councilor Ben Hunter (R) say it's time that the city snuff out smoking in all workplaces.

Chris Matzenbacher, who lives in Chesterfield, is not happy about expanding the smoking ban.

"If you can drink a beer, you should be able to smoke a cigarette," he argued. "I go into adult places so I can drink, smoke and eat. I think they're going to lose all construction workers."

Still, the tide appears to be turning against smokers.

"I think now we've come so far with so many other communities and states going state free it's the right thing to do for public health," said Mansfield.

In fact, many Indiana cities and counties prohibit smoking in restaurants and bars, turning Hunter from a no to a yes vote.

"My constituents made it clear it's something they want," said Hunter.

For Hunter, going smoke-free isn't just a health issue but a question of economic development. He says it's about staying competitive.

"The sky's not falling. Businesses haven't moved out of Marion County," he said.

Some restaurants, like Brothers in Broad Ripple, which opened within the past year, went smoke-free from the start.

"Hey, people like it, that's all there is to it," said Jesse Trent, Brothers supervisor. "Even those who smoke don't mind going outside."

Doug Bray stopped playing league pool because of smoke. "If I'm in a club, I don't like to inhale second hand smoke," he said.

Besides bars, the expanded ban would cover bowling alleys, hookah bars and private clubs like the American Legion. Last fall, a similar proposal garnered these responses from two men having lunch at the Broad Ripple post.

"They shouldn't take our rights away. These guys fought for us," one man said.

"The government shouldn't be getting involved in this."

The owner of Mo and Johnny's, a popular Butler student hangout at the intersection of 54th and College, tends to agree. He also wants to return to family dining but because he allows smoking in the bar, he's restricted to those 18 and over in his dining room and coffee shop.

"I want a level playing field; a law passed that treats everyone the same," said Chuck Mack.

While others have made attempts at expanding the ban, they've never gone very far. Mansfield and Hunter feel they have the votes this time. Even though Republicans have been reluctant to support strengthening the ban, Hunter said, "I have a sense it will pass. If I didn't I wouldn't agree to bring it forth. If anything, we owe it to our constituents to bring it forth and debate it."

The two will introduce the proposal at Monday's council meeting. They expect it will be debated by the Community Affairs committee Oct 14th, possibly going to the full council for a vote Oct. 26th.